Yoga Student
Originally from Cape Town, now based in Toronto, Jim Gelcer is a certified teacher in the classical Hatha Yoga (Śivananda) tradition and has been deepening his practice of yoga in various modalities (Hatha, Bikram, Ashtanga, Yin, Moksha, Anusara and others) for over ten years. Jim was given his spiritual name, Śiva, by Swami Swaroopananda, a senior disciple of Swami Vishnudevandanda, and Acharya for the Sivananda centers and ashrams on the west coast of the USA, the Middle East, Far East, and the Bahamas.
Jim believes that yoga opens up a world of possibilities – physically, emotionally and spiritually, teaching us who we are, and how we are connected to the universe. He loves to share his passion for yoga, and to help others discover yoga’s transformative and healing powers.
Jim is known for his warm, soothing energy balanced with a teaching style that is concise and focused. He uses a unique combination of pranayama (breathing exercises), asanas (yoga postures), chanting, and relaxation to create balanced, flowing and deeply meditative classes.
Jim has been teaching group and private lessons for several years in Toronto, the Laurentians, the United Kingdom, and on Paradise Island in the Bahamas at the Yoga Retreat and The Ocean Club.